RE: Ford embraces Six Sigma

["John Borio" <JBorio@fiberguide.com>]

The whole ranking concept is just wrong headed, full stop!

I observed a simple, common situation yesterday on the production floor.
1. A single bank of ceiling lights went out in the production area;
water pipe leaking; lights tagged out until the leak could be fixed.
2. Workers, doing detailed work, were forced to work in the subdued
lighting.
3. I mentioned it to the production supervisor that it is difficult for
the workers to perform under such conditions
4. He merely pointed to the ceiling, "I ain't the Electrician, the
lights are out." 
5. I told him to get some portable lights so that the worker could
continue until the overhead lights were fixed.  He did.

Suppose, I had not intervened, and suppose the Workers and Supervisors
are ranked based on productivity or even number of rejects.  And the
worker, a willing good worker, forged ahead, doing her job even when
there wasn't enough light, and the part she was working on failed.
Where is the root cause for the failed part?
The Worker, Supervisor, Electrician, the Quality Director, the Plumber,
or how about the Plumber that installed the pipe a year ago, the County
Building Inspector?

It's the System man... The System!

I submit... if you are able to attach "blame" on any of the "ranked"
characters in my little story you just don't see the system at work. 


John Borio
Corporate Quality Director
Fiberguide Industries
208.454.1988 (ex: 107)

"Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?"    Anonymous